Questions for recruiters

I would pick a few companies and email the recruiting dept and explain your situation and what you are planning to do and see how they respond to it. They might provide some guidance to help you make sure you get your credentials right the first time. If they all blow you off, that might tell you something as well, like you may be in for a rough time finding that particular job you are looking for. The big boys, like Schneider and Swift (and I am sure others) have experience with bringing in non citizen drivers, so that may be a good place to start for information since you are returning to the states.

That being said, what you have done, driving wise, will make or break the deal more than anything else. I am not sure of your experience, but it would be extremely difficult for someone that ran only local and primarily operated a straight truck to get on with most carriers operating tractors and 53' trailers for instance. Most carriers want experience that could only come from operating in more than one region, involving several major cities, and a lot more terrain than just rolling hills. Smaller carriers might not be as picky.

Do not be shocked if a propsective carrier requires, say, a couple of weeks time with a trainer/finisher to make sure you have the goods to do the job. With all the new CSA 2010 regulations coming down the pike, a lot of carriers are getting skiddish about who they hire and are going to "dot their I's" and "cross their T's" on everything regarding driver hiring. That may mean you have to jump thru a few hoops to get on board with a carrier.

The only way to know is contact a few recruiting departments and get the info you are looking for.